Area candidates tap own funds for campaigns

Several area candidates dug into their own pockets to jump-start their campaigns, reports filed Thursday show.

Of those that reported their contributions and expenses -- many candidates have not organized fundraising committees and did not report finances this week -- almost all showed a willingness to provide money for their own campaigns.

"If you don't show that you've got enough desire to invest in yourself, nobody else will," said Ron McCormick, a Scott City Republican hoping to unseat two-term incumbent state Rep. Steve Hodges in the 161st District. The district includes about half of Scott County and most of Mississippi County.

McCormick, a former Scott County commissioner, lent his campaign $10,000. McCormick took in $723.86 in other contributions during the Jan. 1 to March 31 period covered by the report.

Hodges had not filed his report as of 6 p.m. Thursday.

With the economy in recession, finding people with extra money to contribute is more difficult, McCormick said. That reinforced his decision to put his own money in the contest.

"I am pretty passionate about this race," McCormick said. "I fully intend to win it."

Debra Tracy, a Cape Girardeau city councilwoman seeking the 158th District seat in the Missouri House, lent her campaign $3,050 on March 25. With an additional $1,300 in contributions, Tracy has raised $4,350 for her campaign for the Republican nomination to replace her son, state Rep. Clint Tracy, who is seeking to become Cape Girardeau County presiding commissioner.

"My perspective is that before I ask anyone to support me financially, I have to show I am willing to be the first contributor," Tracy said.

Tracy, too, cited a weak economy as a factor in her making the contribution. "People only have so much money to spend and they want to spend it wisely, on what they believe in and what they see is happening," she said.

Wayne Wallingford, Tracy's opponent in the Aug. 3 primary, has not filed the paperwork necessary to create a campaign committee and was not required to report his finances.

In two Perry County contests, every candidate who was required to report Thursday showed they were willing to put their own funds into their campaigns.

Democrat Craig Brewer, a candidate for associate circuit judge, put $1,000 into his campaign account and provided $429 worth of in-kind help through his law firm. Brewer took in an additional $450, bringing his total to $2,029. After spending $502.82, Brewer had $847.51 on hand.

Lawyer Jason Tilley, who is challenging incumbent Republican Michael Bullerdieck in the GOP primary, received $1,160 in contributions. Tilley, who has been campaigning since the fall, lent his campaign $15,000 earlier. Tilley has taken in a total of $32,062 for the campaign and has $23,811 on hand.

Bullerdieck did not organize his committee until April 9 and is not required to report his donations at this time.

Brewer will face the winner of the Republican primary in the Nov. 2 general election.

In the Perry County presiding commissioner's race, Republican challenger Rick Schemel reported raising $5,485.76, with all but $300 coming from his own pocket. Schemel is hoping to unseat Republican incumbent Carl Lueckel Jr., with the winner facing Democratic candidate Stanley "Paul" Grantham in the November election. Neither Lueckel nor Grantham and Lueckel have not formally organized campaign committees.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Jackson, Mo.

Perryville, Mo.